China and South Asia Top Global Mycotoxin Risk in Animal Feed — DSM-Firmenich Survey Finds

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China and South Asia recorded the highest levels of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed during the first quarter of 2025, according to DSM-Firmenich’s global mycotoxin survey. The analysis covered 6,000 feed samples from 70 countries.

Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Mycotoxin Risk Management at DSM-Firmenich, emphasized the importance of proactive control:
“Mycotoxins remain a serious and evolving threat to animal health, feed safety, and food security. With climate change and shifts in agricultural practices, understanding global patterns is key. These findings reinforce the urgent need for effective mycotoxin management to safeguard animal welfare and ensure sustainable feed and protein production.”

Mycotoxin levels by region

China and Taiwan reported the joint highest risk level at 94%, with fumonisins (FUM) at 99%, deoxynivalenol (DON) at 87%, and zearalenone (ZEN) at 67%, all exceeding risk thresholds. South Asia shared this high-risk level, with aflatoxins (Afla) at 87%, ochratoxin A (OTA) at 70%, and FUM at 66%.

Other regions with significant contamination included:

  • Central America (85%) – ZEN (92%), FUM (85%), DON (75%)
  • Middle East and North Africa (82%) – FUM (89%), DON (88%), ZEN (83%)
  • East Asia (81%) – FUM (100%), DON (80%), ZEN (41%)
  • North America (81%) – ZEN (81%), DON (75%), FUM (51%)
  • Southern Europe (79%) – FUM (80%), ZEN (73%), DON (65%)
  • South America (77%) – FUM (71%), ZEN (70%), DON (48%)
  • Central Europe (74%) – FUM (80%), ZEN (73%), DON (65%)
  • Southeast Asia (71%) – FUM (86%), DON (61%), Afla (54%)
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (56%) – DON (93%), ZEN (55%), FUM (53%)
  • South Africa (41%) – DON (84%), FUM (55%), ZEN (50%)
  • Northern Europe (38%) – DON (71%), ZEN (48%), FUM (28%)
  • Eastern Europe (23%) – DON (61%), ZEN (57%), T2 (49%)
  • Oceania (16%) – FUM (82%), DON (27%), ZEN (24%)

Notably, 76% of all samples contained more than one mycotoxin, while only 6% had no detectable contamination.

Species-specific risk

Among the 1,087 samples from China and Asia, mycotoxin contamination increased compared to the same period in 2024 — for example, FUM rose to 79% from 68%. The most critical threats were FUM for shellfish and Afla for ruminants and pigs.

In North America, DON posed a significant threat to all livestock species, with one sample reaching an alarming 11,785 ppb.

pigprogress.net

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